Suppressors TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

13F48L7

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Jun 9, 2012
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I am interested in purchasing one of these 3 cans. I have currently a Gemtech G5 and a Gemtech Blackside. I am pleased with their product and customer service. I however have heard a lot of good things about the other 2. Tim used to be in my hometown till he moved. I am going to be getting a direct thread on in 5/8x24 and will be shooting mainly 6.5 creedmoor, 300 Black Out, .308 and .300WM. Most will be bolt gun, but some are semi. There will be no full auto fire. I will listen to opinions, but facts and proof are best.
~Adam
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

I own a Sandstorm, and while it is a good suppressor, I am moving it to a .300 blk SBR and I have a TBAC 30P-1 in transfer that will be my main precision rifle suppressor. The TBAC just beats out the Sandstorm in every way imho.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

Gemtech has some great products, my buddy has a G5 and that thing is pretty slick for a QD can.

For the money, I'd go with the 30P-1. I got a pretty good deal on mine with a group buy.

Can't say on the SAS as I have no experience with one but from what I read they make some good stuff also.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 13F48L7</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buckeye,
What about the sandstorm made you look for another .30cal can? I really like my Gemtech stuff, so I want to know why switch. </div></div>

I'm curious about this as well. I am always impressed with the TBAC.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 13F48L7</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buckeye,
What about the sandstorm made you look for another .30cal can? I really like my Gemtech stuff, so I want to know why switch. </div></div>

First off I will say that the Sandstorm is a Good can. I would have been happy with it had I not gotten the chance to shoot it side by side with a 30P-1. To me the 30P-1 sounded quieter(or maybe just a better tone), had better groups with it, and most importantly I was more impressed with the construction of the TBAC compared to the Gemtech. Plus talking to Zac and Ray over at TBAC I knew that it is a proven winner.

So I consider the Sandstorm a Good can, While I consider the TBAC 30P-1 a Great can.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

Thanks for the info. Made my decision much easier. TBAC for sure. Zak and Ray quickly respond to my questions via Email. You can just feel their great passion for product and service as well as promoting LR and ELR shooting.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

TBAC 30 must be a GREAT can! I have a Ti Arbiter and could not be happier with it. Is quiet and has little affect on POI when I've used it on 6.8, 300 BLK and 308 Win. Not sure how it could be better than that.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have both SAS and TBAC. Get the 30P-1. </div></div>

Please tell my why the tbac is better than the arbiter. I want a tomb can next and was looking to get another sas. Is it accuracy, noise suppression, blast chamber, engineering, paint job? Vendor support?

Thanks

Rich
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

I have an Arbiter, Sandstorm, and TBAC.

The Arbiter is a decent can but I have heard it can fail once you get above a nominal charges weight on some cartridges that it is rated for. It suppresses well and the construction is fine but I worry about the reports I have heard of them blowing up from pressure.

Sandstorm suppresses well but has a bad first round drift and it will settle in but still I dont want to have to break in a can to get it to be consistent. It also will rust if you dont keep oil on it.

The TBAC comes painted and the paint lasts, they look great and have seamless construction. While they are not the quietest can on the market they do a decent job on suppression side but their #1 attribute is accuracy and minimal POI shift.

For my money, Im buying TBAC until I can find someone to compete with them for price, reliability and accuracy when attached.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 13F48L7</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wish I knew someone close to Evansville IN that could demo these cans for me when I get home.</div></div>
13F48L7 said:
Let me know when you get back, I'll let you take a long hard look and shoot a couple of the SAS cans, I think they sale themselves.

I don't have a TBAC, I'm sure based on everything I read here their nice as well.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

<span style="font-weight: bold">30P1</span>
Length= 9"
OZ. =16

<span style="font-weight: bold">Sandstorm</span>
Length= 7.8"
OZ. =13.3

<span style="font-weight: bold">Arbiter</span>
Length= 9"
OZ. =13

I would count out the Sandstorm because of the shorter length (Less volume) All are rated for 300WM so no worries there.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

If you're gonna be a bear....... Be a fuckin GRRRIIZZZZZZLY bear.

And after you thread that finely crafted 30P-1 to your host, you can turn to your buddies and say........Excuse me sir, but does that (insert brand here) can have problems with shit sticking to its fur?
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 13F48L7</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wish I knew someone close to Evansville IN that could demo these cans for me when I get home. </div></div>

I am very close to Evansville and would be glad to show you an arbiter as well as a reaper. I spent ALONG time in "the Stan" so we will have plenty to BS about also.....
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

While I don't have any of the other cans, I do own a Gemtech Sandstorm. On my GAP 6.5x47, I did have an issue with a HUGE shift. The shift is consistent, however. Unfortunately, I have to zero my rifle with the can because I can't go far enough below the zero stop on my S&B, so I have to add almost a whole mil without the can attached. I contacted Gemtech and they were happy to help and suggested I send it in to be examined. I picked up an 700 AAC-SD to play around with sub-sonic ammo and the shift was about 1" on and off, so it is just chance on the GAP rifle I suppose.

My cold shot is in the dead center of my groups, so there's no fouling required on my can.

My accuracy has improved with the can it seems. I don't know if its me shooting better or the can, but I got a 20 pt bump the last match I shot with it.

You do have to keep it oiled or there's a brown residue that will build up.

I really like the small size and light weight of the can. Its been safe to shoot without ear protection if in the open. It is a big loud if you shoot it under a cover.

I chose the Gemtech because the local dealer stocks Gemtech and it was the lightest, most compact can available. I would like to try a TBAC30, but I can only imagine the differences between the two will vary unit to unit and be marginal overall.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

I really am not worried about the cost of the can. I really just want the best performance I can get. I have been studying a lot, but I am one of those guys who has to try it for himself even if a 1000 others have done it first. I have seen some info on the new crusader cans and might even consider one of those.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

I am also in evansville like kino and have a sas titanium can as well as a stainless. If you want to meet up with us when you get home you are welcome to shoot them, just let us know. These are the only cans I own and am a bit partial, as far as shift I have a little but very little. I really think that has a lot to do with changing the barrel harmonics than the function of the can.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

My Arbiter is fine but I know a few well known shooters and an accomplished gunsmith have had some problems with SAS. They can chime in if they want but Im not bringing them into it.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

Well I just saw the group buy on the Templar and the price, as well as lowlight's write up. I know I said price didn't matter, but at half the cost I was going to spend it has me thinking.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

Consistency is the name of the game for a precision/long-range suppressor: return to zero repeatability, no fliers, no "cold bore" difference, etc. If two suppressors coming off the same manufacturing line had noticeable <span style="font-style: italic">"unit to unit"</span> differences that would not endear me to their consistency.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

I just want to clarify that I was replying to tylerw02's comment about unit to unit differences in a comparison. One would really hope there would be no difference unit to unit! I don't have any information about those differences for any cans in discussion other than ours
wink.gif
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

Anything and everything has some degree of tolerances. In a perfect world they are all identical. Seems I'm having better luck than some with the Sandstorm. I believe Frank claimed a cold bore shift when he tested thr Sandatorm. I have not experience that with mine on three rifles I've tested it on now.

It's been run on a GAP 6.5, a .260, and a Rem factory gun. Maybe Franks was on the fringe of tolerances? A quirk? Or maybe mine being right is. I don't know. I do know that so far I'm satisfied with it. I would also like to try thr TBAC30.
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 13F48L7</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Zak, I appreciate the input and share your opinion. This is more or less what I am looking for when people post responses in here, good factual info. </div></div>

So when you getting home?? I have three SAS cans and instead of reading text and "opinions" let the cans speak for themselves. I could arrange for a AAC 762 to be there as well but I know how that will go! I can't wait for the day to run a TBAC myself and run them side by side. I wish someone in the Evansville area would get one!
 
Re: TBAC 30 vs SAS Arb vs Gemtech Sandstorm

I will be getting home around 1 Dec. time frame. I have changed my mind on the suppressor though and I am picking up one of the Templar cans. I guess it will either be a $600 bargain or a $600 mistake. So far the reviews show it a bargain.